Healthy Support for Invest NI at Medica in Germany

Nov 19, 2008

Innovative ideas and products in life sciences from Northern Ireland will be on show at the world’s biggest medical technology trade show in Germany from 19-22 November.

Five companies are taking part in an Invest Northern Ireland stand at MEDICA 2008 in Dusseldorf. A further eight will be visiting the exhibition on an Invest NI sectoral trade mission. In addition, the University of Ulster and HSC Innovations, part of the Clinical Research Support Centre in Belfast, which is part of a UK funded initiative to harness ideas from within the health service, are on a Northern Ireland capability stand at the event.

Alan Hingston, Invest NI’s Trade Director, commenting on the Northern Ireland presentation at Medica, said: “We’ve drawn together a strong group of companies covering a broad range of products and expert services, for what is now the most important global event in the life sciences and biotechnology calendar.

“MEDICA attracts attendees from the medical trade and profession, industry, hospitals, as well as medical laboratories and rehabilitation centres from over 100 countries.

“The scale of the exhibition indicates its importance. Over 4,000 exhibitors from 65 nations will be attending and this provides an exceptional opportunity for our companies to keep abreast of trends within this hugely important industry, and to make contacts which could lead to business or partnerships.

“A key theme this year is the impact that electronics have on personal healthcare. This will be showcased in particular by the launch of Germany’s web-based electronic health card for treatment procedures, an example of the type of connected health technology and telemedicine being developed in Northern Ireland to make personal healthcare monitoring and on-line contact between doctors and patients easier.

“Northern Ireland is especially strong in key developing technology sectors such as electronic sensors and diagnostics, including personal monitoring products that have potential in areas such as connected healthcare systems,” added Mr Hingston.